Change in dosage of Atorvastin

[saturnBond66]

I have been on Atorvastin 20mg. Since June 2024, and have had no side effects. After my last consultation with my consultant the dosage was changed to 80mg March 24th 2024. Contacted consultant in case there was a mistake but he is on sick leave so contacted my GP and they said that 80mg is standard recognized NICE dosage. Has anyone else had this happen to them. Early days and so far no side effects.

[Happyrosie]

to get yet another (!) answer, talk to either the pharmacist attached to your doc’s group of surgeries or to the dispensing pharmacy

[Blearyeyed]

Had your condition or cholesterol levels changed since you were initially prescribed a statin? The average dose is affected by age , gender , weight and height and your full medical history, people whom are diagnosed as having Familial HyperCholesteroleimia, or it is suspected ( which is a very common cholesterol condition) will usually get higher doses also.

Doses fall within the range of 10-80mg in adults.

So 80mg is at the high end but commonly prescribed based on a patients needs. It could simply be that your current statin dose was considered to be a starting dose but is now not high enough for your individual needs.

It's probably worth asking why it needed to be increased by so much in case there are also other Self Care things that you can do to help those medical needs alongside the statin increase.

Luckily, you've had no side effects with your statin , but you could increase the dose slightly slower to prevent the risk of new side effects occurring from the big change as long as there is no urgent need for a higher dose to begin instantly.

It can help to double your dose for 2-4 weeks ( 40mg) then double it again ( 80mg) just to give your body time to adjust for some people and for you to feel more confidence as you make the increase.

Take care , Bee

[saturnBond66 in reply to Blearyeyed]

Diagnosed with PAD and was due to have a fem popitial bypass but due to risks as would involve two sites of surgery so longer recovery, they have decided to postpone the surgery, with the proviso that if situation changes then they will review and operate. Have tests next month to check bloods and circulation so will see what happens then.

[Blearyeyed in reply to saturnBond66]

That could well be the reason that they want the increase in statin. Statins are useful in the treatment of symptoms associated with PAD.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

In short, statins are normally prescribed according to the cholesterol reduction that the prescribing heath professional believes necessary. So if you have high natural cholesterol you will require a higher dose of statin. But if you have a first heart 'event' like a HA your dose will likely be increased. After my NSTEMI my atorvastatin was increased from 40 to 80mg. I find it odd to suggest that 80mg is the standard NICE recommended dose. If that were the case everyone would be on 80mg, and it is clear they are not. My suggestion to you is to take the 80mg as recommended by your cardiologist, it certainly won't do you any harm, but be mindful of the increased likelihood of side effects. Then when your cardiologist returns from sick leave you can establish the reason for the increase, rather than rely on the opinions of others, then decide what you intend to do long term.

[Relaxed]

I started on atorvastatin 40mg 5 years ago, have gradually lost motivation to keep fit. Docs wanted to increase my dose? I said no i want to try lower dose as want to feel energised again. They said ok!! So i am on 20mg and felt so much better within the first week. My next step is if my bloods are ok to reduce dose again. After covid scam i have little trust in pharma etc.